Planted Tank

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Planted Tank; Macro algae questions
Topic Started: Dec 1 2009, 09:03:53 PM (53 Views)
Post #1 Dec 1 2009, 09:03:53 PM	Don
I'm starting a planted tank and have a few questions about a planted tank. What differences are there in a reef tank compared to a planted thank? Are there some snails,crabs to avoid? What about uv and phosban? Are there some nutrients that I will want, that would be avoided in a reef tank? In general whats the best environment to make it grow? Thanks Don	breeding stock Posts: 69 Group: Members Member #44 Joined: September 9, 2008
DON


Post #2 Dec 2 2009, 05:15:36 AM	Suzy
Yahoo! I love planted tanks, my favorite! Let me expand more on this later, I gotta run to work. But, are you wanting sea grasses or just macroalgae? I am not a big fan of seagrasses because they grow so slow!	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,036 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


Post #3 Dec 2 2009, 07:23:05 AM	Don
Not sea grass, just macroalgae.	breeding stock Posts: 69 Group: Members Member #44 Joined: September 9, 2008
DON


Post #4 Dec 2 2009, 11:12:05 AM	Suzy
Sweet! The only difference with grasses is they need a deeper established sand bed, some use mud or other substrates. Macro algae could care less about a sand bed, except they consume nitrate very well, so I use shallow beds for my planted tanks. I don't need or want nitraste reduction happening in the sand bed! What differences are there in a reef tank compared to a planted tank? There are many, IMO! Planted tanks can be super colorful, and the aquascape moves without being a rigid seascape. Not just a lot of colorful sticks and rocks, you know? One important difference is the testing parrameters. In a reef tank, it is ok to have zero nitrate. In a planted, you need some, especially if you have Caulerpas. But, usually our feeding adds enough nitrate. I do think water flow remains important in a planted tank, even though it may not be as apparent as it in a reef. The plants will consume the oxygen at night, which can stress the fish. I run an extra powerhead in my planted, pointed to the surface just to be sure. I also keep the temps in the low 70's, because lower temp water can hold more o2. Are there some snails,crabs to avoid? Not in my experience so far. Snails seem to consume nusiance algae, crabs eat leftover food. I am sure you might find one going rogue once in a while, but I have not yet. I am not a fan of digging fish in my planteds. They kick up detritus which really seems to stick to the algae! But, my next planted will be for cuttlefish so I might need to look into cures for that... What about uv and phosban? I have never used UV before, just seems like snake oil when I have bright lights....I dunno.. But, I think you will not need any phosban or any po4 reducer or adsorber. Algae consumes PO4 very well. As your tank matures, let me know? I know a sweet trick to get it to consume all the PO4, very cheaply I might add... Are there some nutrients that I will want, that would be avoided in a reef tank? Well, not at first, but when the algae is growing strong, I add iron. I can tell when it needs it, when I am home I will show you a cool way to see it. And, as the tank matures, you might need to add nitrate....Sounds weird, and I know... In general whats the best environment to make it grow? I love having macros in a display where you can see them! The best environment is an attentive aquarist, because as the algae grows, they can grow into a jungle! Much easier to plan what and where they will grow instead of trying to separaste them later. I prune once a week or so, more if I am trying to make an algae comply to my desires! Lighting is a very important factor. I have used every type of light available and right now I am using cheap Home Depot MH lights. They are my favorite so far, but do add a lot of heat. Good thing it is a Utah winter! I have used shop lights with plain ol' flourescent bulbs, and you can get an actinic to keep the light from being too yellow at Commercial for around $12 bucks. OK, there is a start! I have more to add so let me know if you need something specific?	Seahorse Whisperer Posts: 3,036 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: June 28, 2008
"i was informed of some dolphin related testing going on up there" Too Funny!


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